President Barack Obama is widely considered more likable than his Republican challenger, while Mitt Romney is the preferred candidate on the economy, a new poll released Friday shows.

According to the latest USA Today/Gallup survey, 54 percent of registered voters nationwide view Obama as the more likable candidate, while only 31 percent give that distinction to Romney. In fact, the poll shows the president leading Romney on a host of issues. Voters prefer Obama over Romney to handle foreign affairs, 54 percent to 40 percent, and taxes, 52 percent to 43 percent. The president is also viewed by 53 percent of voters as the better candidate to handle Medicare, which has re-emerged as a prominent issue in the campaign following Romney's selection of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) as his running mate.

Among the seven policy areas tested by Gallup, the presumptive Republican nominee claims the edge on only two. Romney leads Obama on the paramount issue of the economy, 52 percent to 43 percent, as well as the federal budget deficit, 54 percent to 39 percent.

The PollTracker Average currently shows Romney with the upper hand on the economy, 46.5 percent to 42.9 percent.